Gold Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2023
Xian Canopy Hotel
by Jingwen Chen
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 28,116
- Verification code C3C34BFB30 · Verify this award
About Xian Canopy Hotel
Xian Canopy is a hotel interior design located on a historic street in Xian, China. The design combines Tang Dynasty culture with contemporary lifestyle. The atrium is arranged as a canopy center that links check-in, lounge, lift lobby, restaurants, coffee shop and meeting rooms, so guests move easily and gather for events such as music performances. Acoustic design supports these activities. Guest rooms are kept simple, with gradient wall coverings inspired by Tang Dynasty fabrics. The project covers 32000 square meters and includes 125 guest rooms.
Jingwen Chen's Xian Canopy Hotel lobby emerges as a compelling contemporary contribution to the discourse surrounding heritage-informed hospitality design, demonstrating how traditional architectural vocabularies may be reinterpreted through modern spatial ambition and material refinement. The designer appears to draw upon established traditions of screen architecture and lattice work, elements long associated with the mediation of light, air, and visual privacy in historical interiors, yet here amplified to monumental scale within a soaring multi-story atrium crowned by a pyramidal glass skylight. This formal decision creates a vertical spatial drama that elevates the experience of arrival while maintaining an atmosphere of intimate warmth through the pervasive use of natural wood tones and carefully modulated artificial illumination. The chromatic strategy demonstrates notable sophistication, balancing the potential coolness of grey stone and marble surfaces against the embracing warmth of amber and sienna wood elements, achieving a thermal equilibrium that suggests both permanence and comfort. Particularly accomplished passages include the integration of the decorative planters featuring playful abstract geometric patterns that introduce measured chromatic variety without disrupting the overall tonal coherence, serving as grounding elements that humanize the grand scale. The visible mural in the background, rendered in atmospheric landscape tradition, establishes a contemplative focal point that suggests cultural continuity and invites meditation upon artistic heritage. One might observe how the layered horizontal registers created by the balconies and screen elements establish a rhythmic visual cadence that guides the eye through the vertical dimension while the furniture arrangements below create intimate conversational groupings within the larger communal volume. This work invites consideration of how contemporary hospitality spaces might honor craft traditions while embracing spatial ambitions that celebrate gathering, arrival, and the ennobling potential of thoughtfully designed public interiors.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This hotel's distinctive design approach seamlessly blends the essence of Tang Dynasty culture with contemporary lifestyle preferences, striking a balance between historical authenticity and modern sensibilities. The carefully curated spaces pay homage to the region's past while simultaneously embracing the expectations of today's discerning travelers. As a result, the hotel offers guests a unique and memorable stay, where the vivid echoes of the Tang Dynasty culture come to life, enriching their overall travel experience.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Project Area: 32000 square meters，125 guestrooms, functions included: Canopy center, restaurant, coffee shop, meeting rooms, GYM.
- Tags
- Xian, China, Tang Dynasty-style, historic street, cultural performances, immersive experience, local history, cultural heritage, modern lifestyle, guest travel memories
- Production Technology
- The hotel atrium was designed using innovative spatial planning techniques and intelligent circulation patterns to create a dynamic hub for guests. By strategically positioning key facilities such as restaurants, elevator halls, bars, meeting rooms, and coffee shops around the atrium, a seamless flow of movement is facilitated, promoting natural congregation and interaction.
Acoustic design principles were incorporated to create an immersive atmosphere that supports diverse activities, such as music performances and talk shows, catering to guests throughout the day. The resulting design transforms the atrium into a versatile "canopy center" that engages and connects guests, truly embodying the concept of "for everyone, anytime." - Design Challenge
- One of the most significant challenges during this design project was adhering to the tight completion schedule of one year, including demolition. To overcome this obstacle, efficient project management strategies were employed, such as the critical path method (CPM) and resource leveling, to optimize the allocation of resources and streamline the project timeline. Frequent communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams were essential to swiftly address any unforeseen issues and maintain momentum throughout the project's lifecycle.
Another challenge was the seamless integration of Xian's historical elements with a vibrant, modern lifestyle that would appeal to the target demographic of younger guests. To achieve this, the design team engaged in a meticulous research process, exploring various aspects of the Tang dynasty and identifying key components that could be adapted to contemporary aesthetics. Designer also drew inspiration from modern design trends, blending historical and contemporary elements to create a unique and engaging space that caters to both the appreciation of history and the desire for a lively, contemporary atmosphere. - Project Duration
- The project started in February 2021 and finished in December 2022, Located at Xian China.
- Operation Flow
- The hotel is surrounded by Tang Dynasty historic sites and the target market are the young culture enthusiasts according to the Canopy branding. Therefore, we are focusing on finding a way to gather popularity and provide an atmosphere for the guest to immerse themselves in the neighbourhood culture. In order to achieve it, we focus on improving efficiency of the circulation by creating a Canopy Center which is like a hub, it is located at the atrium of the hotel, links all the main functions, such as check-in, lounge, lift lobby, restaurants, coffee shop, and multi-functional conference room which navigate the guest to go place to place smoothly and gather people to the Canopy Center with diverse evens that are held by the hotel. We also fucus on making the ancient lifestyle resonate with modern life. through the investigation of local culture, we integrated the ancient Tang Dynasty customs, characters together with contemporary lifestyle. For example, people might be intrigued by Tang Dynasty women riding motorcycles or taking selfies or attracted by Tang Dynasty youths leading horses. The design of the guest room adheres to the appropriate design concept to make the design look simply and at the same time reflect some cultural characteristics. For example, the wall covering with gradient colors on the bedside of the guest room is inspired by the representative bright and gradient clothing fabrics of the Tang Dynasty, and the orange produced by the gradient of yellow and blue happens to be the theme color of the hotel.
- Research
- The design research for the Xian historical elements began with a comprehensive study of the Tang dynasty's fashions, entertainment, food, places, lifestyle, and architectural style to identify key icons for integration into the hotel's interior design. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, combining qualitative and quantitative data from historical documents, architectural studies, and cultural analyses to create a better understanding of the era.
Following the research, the team meticulously incorporated these Xian historical elements into the hotel's renovation project, ensuring a cohesive and culturally significant design. The project's impact extended beyond the appreciation of appearance, as it effectively bridged past and present, fostering a deeper connection between the hotel guests and the region's rich heritage.
The insights gained from this research and the subsequent design execution have contributed to both the field of interior design and society as a whole, by demonstrating the importance of historical context and cultural sensitivity in contemporary design practices. This approach not only elevates the guest experience but also preserves and celebrates the unique cultural identity of the region. - Inspiration
- Situated on a historic street in Xian, China, the hotel is surrounded by Tang Dynasty-style architecture and bustling cultural performances. Drawing inspiration from this vibrant historical context, the vision for the hotel's interior design aimed to create an immersive experience for guests, transporting them into the rich tapestry of local history. The ultimate goal was to deepen guests' travel memories and foster a genuine appreciation for the region's cultural heritage.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Zhang Da Qi, Jingwen Chen (Interior design, Senior designer), Canopy center, 2023
Colors of Xian Canopy Hotel
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